JoJo Sues Record Label After Years of Conflict

JoJo Sues Record Label After Years of Conflict

Singer JoJo claims that her contract with Blackground Records has legally expired.

Published August 1, 2013

It has been no secret that 22-year-old singer JoJo has been at odds with her record label, Blackground Records, for some time now. For years, JoJo has been aggressively attempting to be released from her contract with the label. And just recently, the singer has decided to take legal action to be let go once and for all.

The New York Daily News reports that the “Leave (Get Out)” crooner is in the process of suing Blackground and imprint Da Family Records, ultimately claiming that she is no longer their artist under legal circumstances. The lawsuit goes on to state that New York State law prohibits minors from signing contracts that last more than seven years. According to JoJo, her parents signed a contract with Blackground Records in 2004, and therefore, by law, her deal should have expired in 2011. Blackground, the label founded by music executive Barry Hankerson, was once home to superstars Aaliyah, Timbaland and Toni Braxton.

Since her successful second studio album The High Road, released in 2006, JoJo has struggled to make an impact in music. In 2012, the young songstress released the single "Demonstrate," which was slated to lead her third LP. However, the project never came to be.

Taking matters into her own hands, JoJo independently released a much talked about mixtape titled Agápē last December.

"I don’t have a relationship with them," JoJo told Billboard about Blackground Records. "I would just prefer to have a platform to release my music and support. I desire to have a relationship with a label. I desire to work hard and I desire to be a part of a team and be a team player. I desire support, that’s all."

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